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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Fram No. 17L

Re-entered 4 Jun 1981

Fram No. 17L (NORAD 12469, COSPAR 1981-048A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 1981, launched on 22 May 1981 on the Fram mission. It was operated by PRIR as part of the Fram programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Fram bus, with a mass of 2,455 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1981
launched
1981
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,455
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched22 May 1981 · on the Fram mission
Operational4 Jun 1981 · entered service
Retired4 Jun 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered4 Jun 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12469
COSPAR1981-048A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPRIR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFram
Mass2,455 kg
ProgrammeFram
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude209 × 236 km
Inclination82.3°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Fram No. 17L?

Fram No. 17L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 4 Jun 1981, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Fram No. 17L re-enter the atmosphere?

Fram No. 17L re-entered on 4 Jun 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Fram No. 17L?

Fram No. 17L was operated by PRIR and built by TSSKB (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.